Hmmmmmm. I wonder what the American version of asking for fermented squid paste would be.... something kind of stinky, and unusual, and divisive, but not odd for someone to have on hand...?
...Maybe egg salad? Egg salad sandwiches....? Or maybe something like a gorgonzola cheese would be more on the nose, esp since a lot of countries have issues with cheese the same way we have issues with fermentation